HOUSE BILL No. 5461

 

April 23, 2014, Introduced by Rep. Stallworth and referred to the Committee on Insurance.

 

     A bill to amend 1956 PA 218, entitled

 

"The insurance code of 1956,"

 

by amending sections 2106 and 2108 (MCL 500.2106 and 500.2108), and

 

by adding section 2108a.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

 

     Sec. 2106. (1) Except as specifically provided in this

 

chapter, the provisions of chapter 24 and chapter 26 shall do not

 

apply to automobile insurance and home insurance.

 

     (2) An insurer may use rates for automobile insurance or home

 

insurance as soon as those the rates are filed.

 

     (3) An insurer may use rates for automobile insurance as

 

provided in section 2108a.

 

     (4) To the extent that other provisions of this code are

 

inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter, this chapter

 


shall govern governs with respect to automobile insurance and home

 

insurance and, with the exception of establishing rates, automobile

 

insurance.

 

     Sec. 2108. (1) On the effective date thereof, each insurer

 

shall file with the commissioner every of a manual of

 

classification, every manual of rules and rates, every rating plan,

 

and every or modification of a manual of classification, manual of

 

rules and rates, or a rating plan which it that an insurer proposes

 

to use for automobile insurance and home insurance, the insurer

 

shall file the manual or plan with the director.

 

     (2) At least 15 days before the effective date of a manual of

 

classification, manual of rules and rates, rating plan, or

 

modification of a manual of classification, manual of rules and

 

rates, or rating plan that an insurer proposes to use for

 

automobile insurance, the insurer shall file the manual or plan

 

with the director.

 

     (3) Each filing shall under subsection (1) or (2) must state

 

the character and extent of the coverage contemplated. Each An

 

insurer that is subject to this chapter who and that maintains

 

rates in any part of this state shall at all times maintain rates

 

in effect for all eligible persons meeting the underwriting

 

criteria of the insurer.

 

     (4) (2) An insurer may satisfy its obligation to make filings

 

under subsection (1) or (2) by becoming a member of, or a

 

subscriber to, a rating organization licensed under chapter 24 or

 

chapter 26 which that makes those the filings, and by filing with

 

the commissioner director a copy of its authorization of the rating

 


organization to make those the filings on its behalf. Nothing

 

contained in this This chapter shall be construed as requiring any

 

does not require an insurer to become a member of or a subscriber

 

to any a rating organization. Insurers An insurer may file and use

 

deviations from filings made on their its behalf. , which The

 

deviations shall be are subject to the provisions of this chapter.

 

     (5) (3) Each A filing shall under this section must be

 

accompanied by a certification by or on behalf of the insurer that,

 

to the best of its the insurer's information and belief, the filing

 

conforms to the requirements of this chapter.

 

     (6) (4) Each A filing shall under this section must include

 

information that supports the filing with respect to the

 

requirements of section 2109. The information may include 1 or more

 

of the following:

 

     (a) The experience or judgment of the insurer or rating

 

organization making the filing.

 

     (b) The interpretation of the insurer or rating organization

 

of any statistical data it relies upon.on.

 

     (c) The experience of other insurers or rating organizations.

 

     (d) Any other relevant information.

 

     (7) (5) A The department shall make a filing under this

 

section and any accompanying information shall be open to public

 

inspection upon on filing.

 

     (8) (6) An insurer shall not make, issue, or renew a contract

 

or policy except in accordance with filings which that are in

 

effect for the insurer pursuant to under this chapter.

 

     Sec. 2108a. (1) The director shall review a manual or plan

 


filed under section 2108(2) and the accompanying supporting

 

information as soon as reasonably possible after it is filed to

 

determine whether the manual or plan meets the requirements of this

 

chapter.

 

     (2) Except as provided in subsection (3) or (4), a rate in a

 

manual or plan filed under section 2108(2) is effective and may be

 

used 15 days after it is filed.

 

     (3) Within the 15-day period under subsection (2), the

 

director may extend the 15 days for an additional period not to

 

exceed 15 days by giving written notice of the extension to the

 

insurer or rating organization that filed the manual or plan and

 

advising the insurer or rating organization that the director needs

 

additional time to consider the manual or plan. If the director

 

extends the 15-day period under this subsection, a rate in the

 

manual or plan is effective and may be used after the expiration of

 

the extended period

 

     (4) On written application by an insurer or rating

 

organization, the director may authorize a rate in a manual or plan

 

that the director has reviewed under this section to be effective

 

and be used before expiration of the 15-day period under subsection

 

(2) or any extended period under subsection (3).

 

     (5) A manual or plan filed under section 2108(2) with

 

accompanying supporting information is considered to meet the

 

requirements of this chapter unless it is disapproved by the

 

director within the 15-day period under subsection (2) or any

 

extended period under subsection (3).

 

     (6) If within the 15-day period under subsection (2) or any

 


extended period under subsection (3) the director determines that a

 

manual or plan filed under section 2108(2) does not meet the

 

requirements of this chapter, he or she shall send to the insurer

 

or rating organization that filed the manual or plan a written

 

notice of disapproval specifying in what respects the manual or

 

plan fails to meet the requirements of this chapter and stating

 

that the rates in the manual or plan will not be effective and that

 

the insurer shall not use the rates.

 

     (7) An insurer or ratings organization may seek relief from a

 

decision by the director under this section as provided in section

 

2482.